![Max Key pictured in 2017. Photo: Instagram](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/story/2021/05/4hzrukhhcfoup7a53qdmwvtbce.jpg)
Max Key pictured in 2017. Photo: Instagram
In a touching Instagram post to mark his 26th birthday, Max explained that he had been absent from social media because he realised the "party-boy, drop kick" image he had portrayed wasn't an accurate representation of who he really was.
![](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/story/2021/05/max_key_insta.jpg)
"The only difference was every time I screwed up, the whole nation got to see."
Max said he hated the way he had presented himself and had learned about how the negative effects of social media could impact people's mental wellbeing.
![Max Key with father John Key on election night in 2014. Photo: File](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/story/2021/05/max_key_insta2.jpg)
Max Key with father John Key on election night in 2014. Photo: File
He said he felt he was ready to be more active in the social media community now and show his followers what he had been doing.
"I've grown up a lot and have matured into more of the kind of person I'm proud of being."